The withdrawal of some US-owned aerial refueling aircraft stationed at Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv has begun. Israel’s Channel 12 television reported that the decision was made to keep civilian flights operating normally and accommodate the expected increase in passenger traffic.
Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev reportedly pressured security officials to remove the military aircraft from the airport. Israeli media also criticized the presence of the military aircraft, saying they could disrupt commercial flights during the busy travel season and reduce the airport’s capacity.
Ben-Gurion expects heavy traffic
More than 2.6 million passengers are expected to pass through Ben-Gurion Airport in August. The period is expected to be one of the busiest at the airport since October 7, 2023.
Regev had previously called for the aerial refueling aircraft to be removed and the number of aircraft kept at the airport to be capped at 20, so that the civilian flight schedule would not be disrupted during the busiest days of the summer holiday season.
Israeli military opposed the relocation
The Israeli military opposed moving the aerial refueling aircraft to air bases in the Negev Desert, with the support of Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.
Aircraft movements in the region
The United States had previously suspended the evacuation of military tanker aircraft stationed at Ben-Gurion Airport because of rising tensions with Iran.
After a ceasefire and an agreement were reached with Iran, the United States sent the aerial refueling aircraft to Europe. Following the resumption of attacks against Iran, it redeployed the aircraft to Israel and the Middle East.
